Wednesday, December 30, 2009
Saturday, December 19, 2009
Friday, December 18, 2009
Sunday, December 13, 2009
Friday, December 11, 2009
Wednesday, December 9, 2009
European Rankings came out this week & Maccabi Haifa Ranked 36th Among the Elite 100 in Europe...Read more http://bit.ly/8at8BD
European Rankings came out this week & Maccabi Haifa Ranked 36th Among the Elite 100 in Europe...Read more http://bit.ly/8at8BD
Sunday, December 6, 2009
Friday, December 4, 2009
Sunday, November 29, 2009
Monday, November 23, 2009
Saturday, November 21, 2009
Thursday, November 19, 2009
MACCABI HAIFA BASKTBALLTEAM 2SPONSOR DMITRIY“STAROFDAVID”SALITA UPCOMING FIGHT 4 WBA JR.WELTERWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP BELT http://bit.ly/17Hm1K
Tuesday, November 17, 2009
If you missed Our First Show of "INSIDE ISRAELI BASKETBALL"on Comcast versus,YES or Sun Net.It can now be seen online@ http://bit.ly/2VN8Js
Sunday, November 15, 2009
Friday, November 13, 2009
Saturday, November 7, 2009
Haifa can't get their game together, and Galil is getting a huge win by over 30 points.
http://ping.fm/AWSOg
http://ping.fm/AWSOg
Ido Kozikaro stepped up and scored 12 points to keep Haifa in the game. Jefferson is slowly becoming Haifa's MVP
http://ping.fm/nNkku
http://ping.fm/nNkku
Maccabi Haifa trying to find some offense. Galil leads by 15 points at the end of the first quarter
http://ping.fm/895sY
http://ping.fm/895sY
Monday, November 2, 2009
Too many mistakes from both teams!
Let's see which team gets their game together first.
http://ping.fm/bvVzl
Let's see which team gets their game together first.
http://ping.fm/bvVzl
Check out Maccabi Haifa's 2nd game of the season vs Rishon Letzion at: http://ping.fm/H7A8Q
Don't miss the greens!!!!
Don't miss the greens!!!!
Tuesday, October 27, 2009
Sunday, October 25, 2009
Wednesday, October 21, 2009
Tuesday, October 20, 2009
Monday, October 5, 2009
Maccabi Haifa came from behind to beat Nahariya 77-73 to extend its win streak to 4-0. To see more click link http://bit.ly/Wf3f
Tuesday, September 22, 2009
Thursday, September 10, 2009
Friday, August 14, 2009
Jeremy Tyler - a new face for the team
Tyler is one of the many acquisitions that will help us shape the team. We are coming from a great season where we played both the Cup and the League finals against Maccabi Tel Aviv.
Thursday, August 13, 2009
Maccabi Haifa Sign Prep Star Jeremy Tyler
Maccabi Haifa has announced that they have signed prep star Jeremy Tyler to a 1-year deal valued at approximately $140,000. Tyler averaged 28.7 points a game at San Diego High School in San Diego, California. He led his team to a 15-12 record and was considered by many scouts to be one of the top players in his class. He joins former USC star forward, Davon Jefferson, and former Florida State guard Jason Rich as the top signings over the offseason.
Wednesday, August 12, 2009
Tuesday, August 11, 2009
Monday, August 10, 2009
Friday, August 7, 2009
Maccabi Haifa's Fresh New Look
As the end of the summer approaches the Maccabi Haifa roster is beginning to come into fruition. With the re-signing of star forward Davon Jefferson, a key to last year's success; Maccabi Haifa brings a great player back home. Also re-signed was Moshe Mizrahi, a starter on last year's squad and a great three-point shooter who also made the all-defensive team for the Israeli Premier League. A warm welcome back to Ben Strong and Todd Golden, both of whom move into the second and final year of their contracts. While Ben received limited game time off the bench, Golden played a pivotal role in Maccabi Haifa's run to the championship. Todd made numerous late game appearances and was a major asset coming off the bench. While numerous players returned the Maccabi Haifa community welcomes a new face, Jason Rich. Rich, previously played in Serie A of Italy while averaging nearly 10 points a game. While playing his college ball at Florida State University, Rich averaged almost 15 points a game and he hopes to bring these fantastic numbers to Haifa with him. So with 5 players announced, 7 roster spots remain open and with the start of camp in only 1 month, this should be quite an exciting couple of weeks.
Tuesday, July 28, 2009
Monday, June 8, 2009
Maccabi Haifa's Offseason
As we enter the offseason, there is much to do to get ready for next season's run at the Israeli Premier League championship as well as the highly regarded Euro Cup. After last season's remarkable and unforgettable march towards greatness, there are much needed concerns entering this offseason, in particular the uncertainty of Haifa's roster. Doron Perkins, MVP of last year's season and perennial guard for the Heat is most likely not to return to the team. Due to his MVP performance last season(15.8ppg,5.3reb,3stl,5.6ast)his stock has risen to the point where he is being recruited by powerhouse organizations like Maccabi Electra Tel Aviv who can afford to pick him up.
Who will replace the leader and MVP for Maccabi Haifa? This should be our main goal this offseason. Finding a replacement that will be able to not only fill the gap Doron left behind but also take Haifa further than last seasons' mark. With Jefferson coming back who added to our late season push with 16.1 ppg, the only concerns the Heat should have would be at the center position and adding to our roster depth which became a major problem down the stretch.
Who will replace the leader and MVP for Maccabi Haifa? This should be our main goal this offseason. Finding a replacement that will be able to not only fill the gap Doron left behind but also take Haifa further than last seasons' mark. With Jefferson coming back who added to our late season push with 16.1 ppg, the only concerns the Heat should have would be at the center position and adding to our roster depth which became a major problem down the stretch.
Thursday, May 21, 2009
65-58 Tel Aviv up. 3RD QUARTER OVER. LAST QUARTER AHEAD! GET READY FOR A CRAZY ENDING
http://ping.fm/PtsOR
http://ping.fm/PtsOR
HISTORIC CHAMPIONSHIP GAME -"HAIFA HEAT vs MACCABI TEL AVIV" Televised FREE online Today MAY 20th @1:50pm ET http://ping.fm/nsuwe!
Tuesday, May 19, 2009
Tuesday, May 12, 2009
From National to the Final
Israel Today Sports
Monday, May 11, 2009
Avi Segal
From National to the Final
Perkins swept Maccabi Haifa to a victory over Bnei Hasharon. The bonus: Final 4 at the comeback season. Holon & Gilboa \ Galil go to a 5th game. Maccabi Tel Aviv went up too.
One fight is left. It started close and stormy with 7 away wins in the 2 1st series, but in the end of the day only one series goes to 5th game. Galil or Holon will complete the quartet and all of a sudden everything is working out: the teams that finished in the 1st 3 spots are already there, the one who will come later will have to fight until the last moment.
Jerusalem got 12 days to prepare to the Final 4 and Maccabi Tel Aviv and Maccabi Haifa got 9. The 4th runner up will have to settle for 5. Now the speculations will start to whom it's good and to whom it's bad.
After the 2nd game in Ashkelon we knew that Maccabi Tel Aviv will be there (97:65 yesterday) and even won't need 5 games. For Maccabi Haifa it was less expected and much bigger after an away win yesterday of 87:68. A great achievement because a team that only went up this season got over in the middle of the season an injury of a key player (Doron Perkins), got into a delay and home advantage loss in the 1st game and since did 3:1. It's nice to have money, an organized club and a name with American scent (Maccabi Haifa Heat), but it's needed to know to fulfill aspirations and that did yesterday Avi Ashkenazi.
The ultimate center. Haifa did it yesterday with the tools that brought it so far: defense, rhythm control, discipline and Doron Perkins. It's been a while since we remember such a good defense team. I already have the season player and it's Perkins – the player that effected the most on a team in our league this season, the player that knew how to combine personal ability and team achievements.
Form the National to the Final 4. It's the 2nd season now that we have of a team that went up from the national league to the final 4. Haifa , to whom that forgot, went up this season from the national league and leaving theoretical possibilities that the champion will come again straight as the new runner up.
Bnei Hasharon enjoys this season a lot for many easing circumstances – injuries, coaches change and more injuries, but the bottom line is that the team that made in the last 2 years Final 4 and Cup Final goes to sea already this morning, a lot less than the expectations.
Monday, May 11, 2009
Avi Segal
From National to the Final
Perkins swept Maccabi Haifa to a victory over Bnei Hasharon. The bonus: Final 4 at the comeback season. Holon & Gilboa \ Galil go to a 5th game. Maccabi Tel Aviv went up too.
One fight is left. It started close and stormy with 7 away wins in the 2 1st series, but in the end of the day only one series goes to 5th game. Galil or Holon will complete the quartet and all of a sudden everything is working out: the teams that finished in the 1st 3 spots are already there, the one who will come later will have to fight until the last moment.
Jerusalem got 12 days to prepare to the Final 4 and Maccabi Tel Aviv and Maccabi Haifa got 9. The 4th runner up will have to settle for 5. Now the speculations will start to whom it's good and to whom it's bad.
After the 2nd game in Ashkelon we knew that Maccabi Tel Aviv will be there (97:65 yesterday) and even won't need 5 games. For Maccabi Haifa it was less expected and much bigger after an away win yesterday of 87:68. A great achievement because a team that only went up this season got over in the middle of the season an injury of a key player (Doron Perkins), got into a delay and home advantage loss in the 1st game and since did 3:1. It's nice to have money, an organized club and a name with American scent (Maccabi Haifa Heat), but it's needed to know to fulfill aspirations and that did yesterday Avi Ashkenazi.
The ultimate center. Haifa did it yesterday with the tools that brought it so far: defense, rhythm control, discipline and Doron Perkins. It's been a while since we remember such a good defense team. I already have the season player and it's Perkins – the player that effected the most on a team in our league this season, the player that knew how to combine personal ability and team achievements.
Form the National to the Final 4. It's the 2nd season now that we have of a team that went up from the national league to the final 4. Haifa , to whom that forgot, went up this season from the national league and leaving theoretical possibilities that the champion will come again straight as the new runner up.
Bnei Hasharon enjoys this season a lot for many easing circumstances – injuries, coaches change and more injuries, but the bottom line is that the team that made in the last 2 years Final 4 and Cup Final goes to sea already this morning, a lot less than the expectations.
Men at work
Maccabi Haifa suffers from the beginning of the season from lack of appreciation, caused by its medium offensiveness. The fact is that this is the only Israeli team that plays defense in European level – as far for the physicality and the coordination – doesn't give it enough credit
Date: 11/05/2009 | Publisher: Maccabi Heat Haifa - Official Site
Ma'ariv sports
Monday, May 11, 2009
by :Aviv Lavi
taken from : Ma'ariv
Long playoff series are the real basketball, because they separate the men from the boys. In fact, why insult the boys: when it's needed to meet every 3 days the same faces and elbows, when each game is important and more pressuring than its previous and at the same time the legs are heavier, it's becoming clear that got a spine. This is exactly the time when teams with sponge personality, as Bnei Hasharon and Ashkelon, go home, and good.
A moment before the playoff Bnei Hasharon still dreamt to all of a sudden connect and realize the tremendous talent it had on the paper, but the miracle didn't happen. All along the season Hasharon didn't make it to put together more than 10 straight minutes of worthy basketball, and there are things who's too late to begin in May.
Maccabi Haifa suffers from the beginning of the season from lack of appreciation, caused by its medium offensiveness. The fact is that this is the only Israeli team that plays defense in European level – as far for the physicality and the coordination – doesn't give it enough credit. Already in the beginning of the summer it was crowned as the next Holon, and in a very non typical way to the Israeli sports it knew how to take the pressure and the expectations, with Cup Final and Final 4. Haifa was one Tolbert's crazy basket far away from the cup without Doron Perkins, and knew to get out of a deep crisis in the 2nd round and from a delay of 1-0 VS Hasharon. Guy Gudes is the 1st one to admit. There's no favorite in the 1st half final.
Haifa and Gilboa winnings stood up yesterday a common white and blue denominator: an Israeli that besides critical points, contributed also a defense extermination of a key player: Moshe Mizrahi on Kuki Belcher, Gal Makel on Flores. In general, in the 2nd half of the season I'm trying to find weak spots at Makel, and nothing. Most of the Israeli players remind the joke about the cups – one can write and one can read; one can score and one can throw, one shoots 3's and one goes in excellent. Makel is from the rare kind that brings the entire package, including defense.
At the edges of the Final 4, in Natanya the going up a league was celebrated one year late. Natanya got all the details to become a significant factor in the premier league. If Haifa was the new Holon, from Natanya is the new Haifa. Who said that the Israeli basketball doesn't have continuance.
Date: 11/05/2009 | Publisher: Maccabi Heat Haifa - Official Site
Ma'ariv sports
Monday, May 11, 2009
by :Aviv Lavi
taken from : Ma'ariv
Long playoff series are the real basketball, because they separate the men from the boys. In fact, why insult the boys: when it's needed to meet every 3 days the same faces and elbows, when each game is important and more pressuring than its previous and at the same time the legs are heavier, it's becoming clear that got a spine. This is exactly the time when teams with sponge personality, as Bnei Hasharon and Ashkelon, go home, and good.
A moment before the playoff Bnei Hasharon still dreamt to all of a sudden connect and realize the tremendous talent it had on the paper, but the miracle didn't happen. All along the season Hasharon didn't make it to put together more than 10 straight minutes of worthy basketball, and there are things who's too late to begin in May.
Maccabi Haifa suffers from the beginning of the season from lack of appreciation, caused by its medium offensiveness. The fact is that this is the only Israeli team that plays defense in European level – as far for the physicality and the coordination – doesn't give it enough credit. Already in the beginning of the summer it was crowned as the next Holon, and in a very non typical way to the Israeli sports it knew how to take the pressure and the expectations, with Cup Final and Final 4. Haifa was one Tolbert's crazy basket far away from the cup without Doron Perkins, and knew to get out of a deep crisis in the 2nd round and from a delay of 1-0 VS Hasharon. Guy Gudes is the 1st one to admit. There's no favorite in the 1st half final.
Haifa and Gilboa winnings stood up yesterday a common white and blue denominator: an Israeli that besides critical points, contributed also a defense extermination of a key player: Moshe Mizrahi on Kuki Belcher, Gal Makel on Flores. In general, in the 2nd half of the season I'm trying to find weak spots at Makel, and nothing. Most of the Israeli players remind the joke about the cups – one can write and one can read; one can score and one can throw, one shoots 3's and one goes in excellent. Makel is from the rare kind that brings the entire package, including defense.
At the edges of the Final 4, in Natanya the going up a league was celebrated one year late. Natanya got all the details to become a significant factor in the premier league. If Haifa was the new Holon, from Natanya is the new Haifa. Who said that the Israeli basketball doesn't have continuance.
Maccabi Haifa Heat is in the Final Four
History in Green: the team from the Carmel beat Bnei HaSharon by 68:87 and rose to the status of the four big ones of Israeli Basketball for the first time.
Date: 04/05/2009 | Publisher: Maccabi Heat Haifa - Official Site
Maccabi Haifa is in the Final Four ; Galil and Holon are off to a Fifth Game
History in Green: the team from the Carmel beat Bnei HaSharon by 68:87 and rose to the status of the four big ones of Israeli Basketball for the first time.
ynet
Last updated: May 10, 2009
Maccabi Haifa is back – and it’s final.
The incredible comeback journey of the Greens to the top of the Israeli Basketball was completed tonight (Sunday), when they rose, for the first time, to the status of the four big ones of the Premiere League.
The team from the Carmel beat Bnei HaSharon outside with 68:87 and completed a 1:3
Maccabi Haifa celebrates victory on the Playoff Quarter Finals Series.
Next Tuesday, it will be
playing against HaPoel Jerusalem on the Final Four.
And what about HaPoel Holon and Gilboa/Galil?
These two just refuse separating.
This time it was Oded Katash and his protégés’ turn to win, not to mention with style – 55:77 in Gan Ner, comparing 2:2 on the series and coercing a fifth determining, hot and loaded game on Thursday in the Garbage Arena.
Bnei HaSharon – Maccabi Haifa 87:68 (3:1 in the series)
Bnei HaSharon worked well on defense and rose to 4:8 (3) and 8:13 (6), but Gur Porat balanced to 13:13 with a three-pointer, and the first quarter ended with a minimal 18:19 to the hosts.
The second quarter opened with a first lead for Haifa, who ran on 1:8 and raised to 20:26.
Ira Newble kept Bnei HaSharon in the picture and got them back to 33:32, reaching halftime with only 37:36.
Moshe Mizrahi managed to raise the score to a 40:46 to Haifa before Newble turned it over to a local 49:51.
Brooks Sales found perfect timing to cut a two months drought of no three-pointers, and the Greens end the third quarter with 52:54 to them.
Haifa’s dominance continued throughout the fourth quarter with the continuance of the excellent ability of Devon Jefferson and of Doron Perkins on the way to a double digit lead, 57:67.
When Jefferson set 61:73 even the quiet crowd of Metrowest accepted the fact that their team ended its season.
Haifa had a little fun on the way to a 68:87 win and to the first Final Four of its history.
HaSharon: Newble 19 (9 rebounds), Tapiro 12, Cisse and Belcher 11 each, James 8, Yitzhaki 3, Katz and Rice 2 each.
Scored for Maccabi Haifa: Jefferson 23 (8 rebounds), Sales 19, Perkins 17, Kozikaro and Mizrahi 8 each, Porat 5, Ben David 4.
Date: 04/05/2009 | Publisher: Maccabi Heat Haifa - Official Site
Maccabi Haifa is in the Final Four ; Galil and Holon are off to a Fifth Game
History in Green: the team from the Carmel beat Bnei HaSharon by 68:87 and rose to the status of the four big ones of Israeli Basketball for the first time.
ynet
Last updated: May 10, 2009
Maccabi Haifa is back – and it’s final.
The incredible comeback journey of the Greens to the top of the Israeli Basketball was completed tonight (Sunday), when they rose, for the first time, to the status of the four big ones of the Premiere League.
The team from the Carmel beat Bnei HaSharon outside with 68:87 and completed a 1:3
Maccabi Haifa celebrates victory on the Playoff Quarter Finals Series.
Next Tuesday, it will be
playing against HaPoel Jerusalem on the Final Four.
And what about HaPoel Holon and Gilboa/Galil?
These two just refuse separating.
This time it was Oded Katash and his protégés’ turn to win, not to mention with style – 55:77 in Gan Ner, comparing 2:2 on the series and coercing a fifth determining, hot and loaded game on Thursday in the Garbage Arena.
Bnei HaSharon – Maccabi Haifa 87:68 (3:1 in the series)
Bnei HaSharon worked well on defense and rose to 4:8 (3) and 8:13 (6), but Gur Porat balanced to 13:13 with a three-pointer, and the first quarter ended with a minimal 18:19 to the hosts.
The second quarter opened with a first lead for Haifa, who ran on 1:8 and raised to 20:26.
Ira Newble kept Bnei HaSharon in the picture and got them back to 33:32, reaching halftime with only 37:36.
Moshe Mizrahi managed to raise the score to a 40:46 to Haifa before Newble turned it over to a local 49:51.
Brooks Sales found perfect timing to cut a two months drought of no three-pointers, and the Greens end the third quarter with 52:54 to them.
Haifa’s dominance continued throughout the fourth quarter with the continuance of the excellent ability of Devon Jefferson and of Doron Perkins on the way to a double digit lead, 57:67.
When Jefferson set 61:73 even the quiet crowd of Metrowest accepted the fact that their team ended its season.
Haifa had a little fun on the way to a 68:87 win and to the first Final Four of its history.
HaSharon: Newble 19 (9 rebounds), Tapiro 12, Cisse and Belcher 11 each, James 8, Yitzhaki 3, Katz and Rice 2 each.
Scored for Maccabi Haifa: Jefferson 23 (8 rebounds), Sales 19, Perkins 17, Kozikaro and Mizrahi 8 each, Porat 5, Ben David 4.
Sunday, May 10, 2009
40 sec left in the game,
Monster alley up off the backboard to Jefferson!!!!
Haifa wins 87-68!!
http://bit.ly/qW0VL
Monster alley up off the backboard to Jefferson!!!!
Haifa wins 87-68!!
http://bit.ly/qW0VL
Again, Jefferson goes to the hoop, makes it and gets the hit. 11 pts lead (72-61 Haifa leads) and Jefferson has a FT
http://bit.ly/qW0VL
http://bit.ly/qW0VL
Sales is fouled and scores. Posibility for Haida Heat to reach the biggest lead in the game
http://bit.ly/qW0VL
http://bit.ly/qW0VL
6 min remaining in the game
The Haifa Heat manage to keep the winning difference by 6 points.
HH 63 - BNH 57
http://bit.ly/qW0VL
The Haifa Heat manage to keep the winning difference by 6 points.
HH 63 - BNH 57
http://bit.ly/qW0VL
Jefferson 4/8 FG 12 pts
the score leader for the Haifa Heat
59 - 52 Haifa leads in the beginning of the
4th qrt
http://bit.ly/qW0VL
the score leader for the Haifa Heat
59 - 52 Haifa leads in the beginning of the
4th qrt
http://bit.ly/qW0VL
End of the 3rd quarter
H Heat 54 - B Hasharon 42
close match that could end the series if the Haifa Heat wins today!
http://bit.ly/qW0VL
H Heat 54 - B Hasharon 42
close match that could end the series if the Haifa Heat wins today!
http://bit.ly/qW0VL
Halftime score
Haifa Heat 37
Bnei hasharon 36
In a game that could send the Haifa team to the semifinal playoff games
http://bit.ly/qW0VL
Haifa Heat 37
Bnei hasharon 36
In a game that could send the Haifa team to the semifinal playoff games
http://bit.ly/qW0VL
Halftime BN Hasharon stats
FT 7/11 64%
FG 13/27 48%
3 Points 3/6 50%
Bench 6/30
Def Reb 9
Off Reb 7
Assists 7
TO 9
http://bit.ly/qW0VL
FT 7/11 64%
FG 13/27 48%
3 Points 3/6 50%
Bench 6/30
Def Reb 9
Off Reb 7
Assists 7
TO 9
http://bit.ly/qW0VL
Halftime Haifa stats -
FT 11/12 92%
FG 12/31 39%
3 Points 2/9 22%
Bench 11/26
Def Reb 9
Off Reb 9
Assists 4
TO 7
http://bit.ly/qW0VL
FT 11/12 92%
FG 12/31 39%
3 Points 2/9 22%
Bench 11/26
Def Reb 9
Off Reb 9
Assists 4
TO 7
http://bit.ly/qW0VL
The Haifa Heat is getting their game together, and keeps a lead of 3 with a min left in the 2nd qrt.
HH 35 - BNH 32
http://bit.ly/qW0VL
HH 35 - BNH 32
http://bit.ly/qW0VL
Unsportmenship foul called to Beltcher. Perkins made both FTs, and gets the ball. http://bit.ly/qW0VL
Jefferson drives the ball to the hoop and gives the first lead of the game to HH
9 min in the 2 qrtr
HH 20 - BNH 19
http://bit.ly/qW0VL
9 min in the 2 qrtr
HH 20 - BNH 19
http://bit.ly/qW0VL
Dixon made both FTs and now 4 sec left in the qrt for BNH, but BNH misses the last shoot of the qtr
http://bit.ly/qW0VL
http://bit.ly/qW0VL
Perkins (HH) looking for the ball, but instead BNH fouls Malik Dixon and sends him to the line with 4.2 sec left in the quarter
http://bit.ly/qW0VL
http://bit.ly/qW0VL
Close game, with both teams missing shoots.
HH 15 - BNH 15 with 1:20 min left in the 1st quarter
http://bit.ly/qW0VL
HH 15 - BNH 15 with 1:20 min left in the 1st quarter
http://bit.ly/qW0VL
6 min left in the 1st -
Close game - BNH 8 - Haifa Heat 6
But both teams with low Pct
BNH - FGP 43 %
Haifa - FGP 29 %
http://bit.ly/qW0VL
Close game - BNH 8 - Haifa Heat 6
But both teams with low Pct
BNH - FGP 43 %
Haifa - FGP 29 %
http://bit.ly/qW0VL
James (BNH) stepping it up in the beginning of the game. 1 block, offensive rebounds and a monster dunk
http://bit.ly/qW0VL
http://bit.ly/qW0VL
Starting Lineups
Haifa Heat: Jefferson, Perkins, Ben David, Mizrahi, Sales
BNH: Beltcher, Tapiro, Katz, Newble and James
http://bit.ly/qW0VL
Haifa Heat: Jefferson, Perkins, Ben David, Mizrahi, Sales
BNH: Beltcher, Tapiro, Katz, Newble and James
http://bit.ly/qW0VL
The game is about to start in no more than 5 min, so hurry and get set to watch a basketball battle!!
http://bit.ly/qW0VL
http://bit.ly/qW0VL
Hey everyone, tune in http://bit.ly/qW0VL
and watch the amazing 4th game of the playoff series between Maccabi Haifa and Bnei Hasharon !!!
and watch the amazing 4th game of the playoff series between Maccabi Haifa and Bnei Hasharon !!!
Thursday, May 7, 2009
Next game, 4th game of the playoffs series, next Sunday at 12:40 ET USA, watch it live and FREE at
http://ping.fm/xqBRd
http://ping.fm/xqBRd
End of the game
Maccabi Haifa wins the second straight game in the playoffs series 74-61 over Bnei Hasharon
http://ping.fm/DE1Ks
Maccabi Haifa wins the second straight game in the playoffs series 74-61 over Bnei Hasharon
http://ping.fm/DE1Ks
Too many mistakes at the end of the game by both teams!!! 3 min left in the game
http://ping.fm/aJEeY
http://ping.fm/aJEeY
5 min left in the game
Maccabi Haifa 12/12 FT 100%
Bnei Hasharon 11/22 FT 50%
http://www.triangleinternet.tv
Maccabi Haifa 12/12 FT 100%
Bnei Hasharon 11/22 FT 50%
http://www.triangleinternet.tv
7 min left in the game. Bnei Hasharon is not giving up. Haifa still leads but only by 10 points.
http://ping.fm/Bw9CJ
http://ping.fm/Bw9CJ
Haifa has 16.4 TO in regular season, this game we already have 20 TOs. We have to lock in the win!!!
http://ping.fm/gwBAw
http://ping.fm/gwBAw
Bnei Hasharon grabbing too many REB. 17 off Reb. Mizrahi keeps Haifa lead with 4/5 3pts.
Haifa leads 59-52
http://ping.fm/fjJDP
Haifa leads 59-52
http://ping.fm/fjJDP
1 min left in the 3rd
Haifa Heat 56% - 9/16 3 pts
Bnei Hasharon 40% - 6/15 3 pts
http://www.triangleinternet.tv
Haifa Heat 56% - 9/16 3 pts
Bnei Hasharon 40% - 6/15 3 pts
http://www.triangleinternet.tv
Tapiro (Bnei Hasharon) Turnsover the Ball and Jefferson (Haifa Heat) slams it for a 15 points lead. 56-41.
http://ping.fm/df9jq
http://ping.fm/df9jq
7:04 3rd qua
Maccabi Haifa 17 TO
Bnei Hasharon 15 TO
Neither team can take afvantage of the other team's TOs.
http://ping.fm/2YkwA
Maccabi Haifa 17 TO
Bnei Hasharon 15 TO
Neither team can take afvantage of the other team's TOs.
http://ping.fm/2YkwA
Haifa leads 36-27
Maccabi Stats - FG: 14/29 - Reb: 19 - Assists 7
Bnei Hasharon - FG: 11/34 - Reb: 21 - Assists 3
http://ping.fm/FB5Yk
Maccabi Stats - FG: 14/29 - Reb: 19 - Assists 7
Bnei Hasharon - FG: 11/34 - Reb: 21 - Assists 3
http://ping.fm/FB5Yk
5 straight points for Perkins in the last 8 sec. A three point and a steal for a lay up
Perkins did not score in the first quarter, and he has scores 12 points in the second period
http://ping.fm/obMzw
Perkins did not score in the first quarter, and he has scores 12 points in the second period
http://ping.fm/obMzw
Technical Foul for Meir Eretz for slapping Perkins (Haifa Heat) in the face !!! you have to watch this game!!
http://ping.fm/T4bVg
http://ping.fm/T4bVg
2nd straight posession Bnei Hasharon turns the ball over. Brook Sales finish the counterattack with a lay up.
http://ping.fm/d22Ss
http://ping.fm/d22Ss
The Haifa Heat players seemed asleep... Come on Haifa Heat!!!!!!
We have to win this game!!!
http://ping.fm/G8tQC
We have to win this game!!!
http://ping.fm/G8tQC
Very low percentage game for both team
Maccabi Haifa 30%
Beni Hasharon 33%
In the beginning of the second quarter
http://www.triangleinternet.tv
Maccabi Haifa 30%
Beni Hasharon 33%
In the beginning of the second quarter
http://www.triangleinternet.tv
End of the first quarter Maccabi Haifa 10 - Bnei Hasharon 12... 3rd game of the Playoff Series
http://ping.fm/LBMC6
FREE right Now!!!
http://ping.fm/LBMC6
FREE right Now!!!
We started the game very focused to gain an advantage of 6-0 but at the end of the first quarter we are down 12-10
http://ping.fm/G6meG
http://ping.fm/G6meG
Too many mistakes at the beginning of the game. 4:42 min left in the firtst quarter Maccabi Haifa 8 - Bnei Hasharon 7
http://ping.fm/5frhU
http://ping.fm/5frhU
Hey everyone! tune in http://ping.fm/RDXEd and watch the THIRD game of the Premier Israeli Basketball League between Maccabi Haifa and Bnei Hasharon for NOW for FREE
Tuesday, May 5, 2009
Local Hoops: Shooting woes doom Hasharon in Game 2
By ADAM MILLER
May 5, 2009 6:33 | Updated May 5, 2009 6:37
During the regular season, Bnei Hasharon's play against the Maccabi Haifa Heat resembled a professional shooting clinic.
The team from Ra'anana averaged 51 percent shooting from three-point range in both league games against the Heat. Although three-point shooting generally isn't considered to be one of Hasharon's strengths, it has been a key asset to coach Ariel Beit Halachmi's hopes in toppling Haifa in their first round playoff meeting.
Which is why after Game 1 of his team's series against Haifa (14-8), Halachmi realized Hasharon's shooting would have to get better in Game 2 if it wanted to beat the Heat a second time.
Hasharon (13-9) finished 7-for-26 (27%) from beyond the arc in a 69-66 victory over Haifa on April 26. It was the team's most three-point attempts, and its fewest made, against Maccabi this season.
On Sunday night, the long-range marksmanship was even worse for Hasharon, as it lost at home to the Heat, 75-71. The hosts started the game 0-for-6 from three-point range, and finished a dismal 3-16.
"With a team like Haifa and the way that both teams are playing defense, it's hard to get an open shot," Halachmi said following the Game 2 loss.
The last two minutes of the game were most indicative of the shooting struggles the team exhibited throughout the contest. Down just two points with a minute and 22 seconds remaining, point guard Meir Tapiro missed a shot from outside that would've given his team the lead.
Just a two possessions later, guards Erez Katz and Cookie Belcher missed back-to-back threes but were saved momentarily by two free-throws from center Shawn James.
The starters finished a combined 1-for-10 from beyond the arc. The only successful attempt came from big man James off a Haifa turnover to tie the game with just over four minutes to play.
After the game, Katz said he didn't see any tangible reasons as to why his team lost other than getting out-hustled at the end.
"Stat sheets are always good for the end of the game," Katz said referring to the victory in Game 1 despite having 21 missed free-throws.
"It's all about heart and execution."
Although poor free-throw form certainly did not do anything to lift the shooting problems in Game 1, it helped that Hasharon still finished with twice as many attempts at the foul line as Maccabi.
Haifa coach Avi Ashkenazi not only saw his team commit fewer fouls in Game 2, but the outside shooting improved from the opening loss as well. The Heat received a lot of help from guard Malik Dixon's newly-found touch and finished 6-for-17 from the perimeter.
During the first game of the best-of-five series, Maccabi finished 7-for-26, just like its opponents.
"Last game, we were the ones taking the bad shots and Sunday it was them, so this is the difference," Haifa forward Gur Porat said of Hasharon's shooting struggles.
The white-and-blue has a chance to redeem itself on Thursday when it travels up north to Haifa. A win would give it a 2-1 advantage and a chance to advance on its home court with another victory on Sunday.
May 5, 2009 6:33 | Updated May 5, 2009 6:37
During the regular season, Bnei Hasharon's play against the Maccabi Haifa Heat resembled a professional shooting clinic.
The team from Ra'anana averaged 51 percent shooting from three-point range in both league games against the Heat. Although three-point shooting generally isn't considered to be one of Hasharon's strengths, it has been a key asset to coach Ariel Beit Halachmi's hopes in toppling Haifa in their first round playoff meeting.
Which is why after Game 1 of his team's series against Haifa (14-8), Halachmi realized Hasharon's shooting would have to get better in Game 2 if it wanted to beat the Heat a second time.
Hasharon (13-9) finished 7-for-26 (27%) from beyond the arc in a 69-66 victory over Haifa on April 26. It was the team's most three-point attempts, and its fewest made, against Maccabi this season.
On Sunday night, the long-range marksmanship was even worse for Hasharon, as it lost at home to the Heat, 75-71. The hosts started the game 0-for-6 from three-point range, and finished a dismal 3-16.
"With a team like Haifa and the way that both teams are playing defense, it's hard to get an open shot," Halachmi said following the Game 2 loss.
The last two minutes of the game were most indicative of the shooting struggles the team exhibited throughout the contest. Down just two points with a minute and 22 seconds remaining, point guard Meir Tapiro missed a shot from outside that would've given his team the lead.
Just a two possessions later, guards Erez Katz and Cookie Belcher missed back-to-back threes but were saved momentarily by two free-throws from center Shawn James.
The starters finished a combined 1-for-10 from beyond the arc. The only successful attempt came from big man James off a Haifa turnover to tie the game with just over four minutes to play.
After the game, Katz said he didn't see any tangible reasons as to why his team lost other than getting out-hustled at the end.
"Stat sheets are always good for the end of the game," Katz said referring to the victory in Game 1 despite having 21 missed free-throws.
"It's all about heart and execution."
Although poor free-throw form certainly did not do anything to lift the shooting problems in Game 1, it helped that Hasharon still finished with twice as many attempts at the foul line as Maccabi.
Haifa coach Avi Ashkenazi not only saw his team commit fewer fouls in Game 2, but the outside shooting improved from the opening loss as well. The Heat received a lot of help from guard Malik Dixon's newly-found touch and finished 6-for-17 from the perimeter.
During the first game of the best-of-five series, Maccabi finished 7-for-26, just like its opponents.
"Last game, we were the ones taking the bad shots and Sunday it was them, so this is the difference," Haifa forward Gur Porat said of Hasharon's shooting struggles.
The white-and-blue has a chance to redeem itself on Thursday when it travels up north to Haifa. A win would give it a 2-1 advantage and a chance to advance on its home court with another victory on Sunday.
Local hoops: Holon, Haifa both win on road to knot up series
By ALLON SINAI
Avg. rating 4.0 out of 5rated 4.0 by 1 person | Top Rated Articles [?]
Hapoel Holon and Maccabi Haifa claimed crucial road victories in Game 2 of the BSL quarterfinal playoffs on Sunday night, tying their series' at 1-1.
Holon beat Hapoel Galil/Gilboa 63-61 in Gan Ner thanks to Brian Tolbert's clutch three-pointer, while Haifa edged Bnei Hasharon 75-71 in a tense affair in Ra'anana.
Hapoel Jerusalem is now favored to be the first team to advance to the Final Four on Thursday after taking a 2-0 lead in its series against Ironi Nahariya on Sunday night.
Jerusalem defeated Nahariya 92-79 despite Ron Lewis scoring 39 points for the hosts.
On Monday, Maccabi Tel Aviv will look to rebound from its stunning Game 1 loss when its visits Ironi Ashkelon.
In Gan Ner, the teams combined for three of 19 from the field in the first five minutes and Yehu Orland's three-pointer gave Galil a 17-13 lead after a scrappy first quarter.
After only managing to score 26 points in the first half, it was no surprise Galil trailed by 12 at the break (38-26), but the hosts began to close the margin in the third quarter and were down by only four points with 10 minutes to play (50-46).
A Guni Izraeli three with 2:45 to play tied the score at 56-56, and the game was still deadlocked in the final minute.
However, with 31 seconds to play, Tolbert hit a superb three from the corner and Holon held on for the crucial win.
Tolbert scored 15 for Holon, with Uri Kukia adding 13 points and nine rebounds.
"Everybody knew this would be a tough series," Tolbert said. "I think we worried about Galil too much, and we lost track of ourselves. This series is not about home-court advantage. Home-court means nothing."
Brian Roberts was Galil's only player in double-figures, scoring 15 points.
In Ra'anana, Haifa got off to a quick start, opening a five-point margin (10-5) after four minutes.
However, the hosts would finish the first period stronger, with Meir Tapiro's basket giving the team a 22-18 lead after 10 minutes.
Haifa still trailed by just four points at the break (36-32), and Bnei Hasharon had the slightest of edges (54-53) going into the final 10 minutes of the encounter.
Haifa began the fourth period with an 8-2 run to open a five-point advantage, but Ori Itzhaki came up with two clutch three-pointers when his team needed them most and the hosts regained the lead.
Haifa went in front once more in the final minute (71-69) and after Erez Katz missed from the line the visitors clinched the win.
Davon Jefferson led Haifa with 21 points and 11 rebounds, with Perkins adding 17 points, 11 rebounds and five assists.
Ira Newble led Bnei Hasharon with 20 points and eight rebounds.
In Nahariya, a Ron Lewis three opened a 17-11 lead, but the score was tied at 23-23 at the end of the first period.
Jerusalem ran riot in the second quarter, racing to a 16-point margin (45-29) after Omar Sneed capped a 22-6 run.
Hapoel took a 54-40 lead into the break, but a 14-0 Nahariya run midway through the third period tied the score at 57-57.
Jerusalem would answer back immediately, however, ending the quarter with an 11-0 run, with Timmy Bowers's basket giving the team a 71-60 lead with 10 minutes to play.
Nahariya couldn't muster a serious comeback attempt in the final period and Hapoel cruised to within one victory of the Final Four.
Sneed scored 28 points and took nine rebounds for Jerusalem, with Sharon Sasson and Bowers adding 19 and 15 points respectively.
Also Sunday, Maccabi Rishon Lezion and Ironi Ramat Gan opened a 2-0 lead in the relegation playoffs to move to within one win of another season in the BSL.
Rishon defeated Givat Shmuel 81-67 at home behind Larry Obannon's 20 points.
Ramat Gan thrashed Ironi Kiryat Ata 96-79 on the road, with Adrian Henning and Carmelo Lee each scoring 19 for the winners.
Avg. rating 4.0 out of 5rated 4.0 by 1 person | Top Rated Articles [?]
Hapoel Holon and Maccabi Haifa claimed crucial road victories in Game 2 of the BSL quarterfinal playoffs on Sunday night, tying their series' at 1-1.
Holon beat Hapoel Galil/Gilboa 63-61 in Gan Ner thanks to Brian Tolbert's clutch three-pointer, while Haifa edged Bnei Hasharon 75-71 in a tense affair in Ra'anana.
Hapoel Jerusalem is now favored to be the first team to advance to the Final Four on Thursday after taking a 2-0 lead in its series against Ironi Nahariya on Sunday night.
Jerusalem defeated Nahariya 92-79 despite Ron Lewis scoring 39 points for the hosts.
On Monday, Maccabi Tel Aviv will look to rebound from its stunning Game 1 loss when its visits Ironi Ashkelon.
In Gan Ner, the teams combined for three of 19 from the field in the first five minutes and Yehu Orland's three-pointer gave Galil a 17-13 lead after a scrappy first quarter.
After only managing to score 26 points in the first half, it was no surprise Galil trailed by 12 at the break (38-26), but the hosts began to close the margin in the third quarter and were down by only four points with 10 minutes to play (50-46).
A Guni Izraeli three with 2:45 to play tied the score at 56-56, and the game was still deadlocked in the final minute.
However, with 31 seconds to play, Tolbert hit a superb three from the corner and Holon held on for the crucial win.
Tolbert scored 15 for Holon, with Uri Kukia adding 13 points and nine rebounds.
"Everybody knew this would be a tough series," Tolbert said. "I think we worried about Galil too much, and we lost track of ourselves. This series is not about home-court advantage. Home-court means nothing."
Brian Roberts was Galil's only player in double-figures, scoring 15 points.
In Ra'anana, Haifa got off to a quick start, opening a five-point margin (10-5) after four minutes.
However, the hosts would finish the first period stronger, with Meir Tapiro's basket giving the team a 22-18 lead after 10 minutes.
Haifa still trailed by just four points at the break (36-32), and Bnei Hasharon had the slightest of edges (54-53) going into the final 10 minutes of the encounter.
Haifa began the fourth period with an 8-2 run to open a five-point advantage, but Ori Itzhaki came up with two clutch three-pointers when his team needed them most and the hosts regained the lead.
Haifa went in front once more in the final minute (71-69) and after Erez Katz missed from the line the visitors clinched the win.
Davon Jefferson led Haifa with 21 points and 11 rebounds, with Perkins adding 17 points, 11 rebounds and five assists.
Ira Newble led Bnei Hasharon with 20 points and eight rebounds.
In Nahariya, a Ron Lewis three opened a 17-11 lead, but the score was tied at 23-23 at the end of the first period.
Jerusalem ran riot in the second quarter, racing to a 16-point margin (45-29) after Omar Sneed capped a 22-6 run.
Hapoel took a 54-40 lead into the break, but a 14-0 Nahariya run midway through the third period tied the score at 57-57.
Jerusalem would answer back immediately, however, ending the quarter with an 11-0 run, with Timmy Bowers's basket giving the team a 71-60 lead with 10 minutes to play.
Nahariya couldn't muster a serious comeback attempt in the final period and Hapoel cruised to within one victory of the Final Four.
Sneed scored 28 points and took nine rebounds for Jerusalem, with Sharon Sasson and Bowers adding 19 and 15 points respectively.
Also Sunday, Maccabi Rishon Lezion and Ironi Ramat Gan opened a 2-0 lead in the relegation playoffs to move to within one win of another season in the BSL.
Rishon defeated Givat Shmuel 81-67 at home behind Larry Obannon's 20 points.
Ramat Gan thrashed Ironi Kiryat Ata 96-79 on the road, with Adrian Henning and Carmelo Lee each scoring 19 for the winners.
Sunday, May 3, 2009
Maccabi Haifa wins!!! Bnei Hasharon missed 2 FTs at the end and Perkins caught the board, he was fouled and made the 2 FTs..
Final Score 75-71 Maccabi Haifa wins
http://ping.fm/GKR4d
Final Score 75-71 Maccabi Haifa wins
http://ping.fm/GKR4d
12 seconds left in the game and the score is tied in 71...
Check out the final of the game
http://ping.fm/5hGrj
Check out the final of the game
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3er quarter Doron Perkins (Maccabi Haifa)
has a double double already
8 min left in 3er quarter 10 pts and 10 rebounds
http://ping.fm/MJ9QL
has a double double already
8 min left in 3er quarter 10 pts and 10 rebounds
http://ping.fm/MJ9QL
End of the 3rd quarter Maccabi Haifa 53 - Bnei Hasharon 54
Check out the amazing 2nd game of the playoff series live NOW
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Check out the amazing 2nd game of the playoff series live NOW
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Malik Dixon (Maccabi Haifa Heat) 9 pts - 3/8 3pts shoots - 37 Percent from behind the arc
http://ping.fm/9nXhP
http://ping.fm/9nXhP
Maccabi Haifa - Bnei Hasharon tied in the middle of 3 quarter at 46 points. Watch the game FREE and live now at
http://ping.fm/Oq8Ar
http://ping.fm/Oq8Ar
Haifa is struggling to keep the turnover down. we have 16/ game... This is our weakness!
http://ping.fm/jYAWZ
http://ping.fm/jYAWZ
End of the first quarter
Maccabi Haifa 18 - Bnei Hasharon 22
Meir Tapiro made a jump shoot in the last second of the quarter
http://ping.fm/txhB9
Maccabi Haifa 18 - Bnei Hasharon 22
Meir Tapiro made a jump shoot in the last second of the quarter
http://ping.fm/txhB9
Hey everyone!!!
tune in the 2nd game of the playoff series
(3) Maccabi Haifa vs (6) Bnei Hasharon...
FREE and live NOW at
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tune in the 2nd game of the playoff series
(3) Maccabi Haifa vs (6) Bnei Hasharon...
FREE and live NOW at
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Thursday, April 30, 2009
Wednesday, April 29, 2009
(1) Maccabi Tel Aviv 95 - (8) Eldan Ashkelon 93
2 seconds left in the game... Check the last play and see who won the game!!!!
http://ping.fm/ePIPb
2 seconds left in the game... Check the last play and see who won the game!!!!
http://ping.fm/ePIPb
Sunday, April 26, 2009
Friday, April 24, 2009
Thursday, April 23, 2009
BSL Playoff Preview: Mac TA, Hap J'lem lead the pack
By ADAM MILLER
After six long months and 22 regular season games for each team, the BSL playoffs finally get under way this weekend.
If last season's super-dramatic Final Four was any indication of what the BSL postseason might hold in store just 12 months later, this year's new eight-team playoff format promises to be a thrilling adventure from start to finish.
While Maccabi Tel Aviv and Hapoel Jerusalem are the clear favorites, holding the top two seeds, No. 3 Maccabi Haifa Heat finished just a game above Hapoel Holon, Hapoel Galil/Gilboa and Bnei Hasharon, all of whom have 13-9 records.
Here is a breakdown of all eight playoff teams.
Maccabi Tel Aviv
By Maccabi's standards, it was a less than stellar year, mainly because of its Euroleague performance and disciplinary issues.
On paper, however, Tel Aviv (19-3) is the BSL's top team and favored to win the Israeli league championship. Maccabi has seen its floor leader, Carlos Arroyo, become one of the top point guards in the league, with a 3.3 assist/turnover ratio while leading the team in points (15.5) and assists (6.2).
Tel Aviv coach Pini Gershon has the league's deepest team from top-to-bottom, with strength at every position. Maccabi has six players averaging double-figures this year, making the team an overwhelming threat for anyone looking to hold down the offense.
Aside from having six scoring threats, the yellow-and-blue hold the league's top field-goal (62%) and three-point (40%) percentages.
Although Maccabi is focused on avoiding a postseason similar to last year, it won't be easy with a deep talent pool throughout the league. Gershon and Co. struggled at the end of the season against Maccabi Haifa in a close loss on April 12.
Tel Aviv's most alarming loss came on December 14 against sixth-seeded Bnei Hasharon, which held Maccabi to 78 points.
Its first round opponent is Ironi Ashkelon, who it has beaten twice already and should cruise by once again, but the road after that is not guaranteed to be easy by any means.
Hapoel Jerusalem
Throughout most of the season, Hapoel has found ways to beat teams week in, week out.
It wasn't until Ironi Ramat Gan pulled off a stunning 16-point victory over Jerusalem that things went wrong.
Over the last two months, Hapoel (17-5) lost three of its last eight games. All three of its losses were by double-digits, with the latest coming April 6 in a 15-point loss to Ironi Nahariya.
Jerusalem will now get the chance to make up for its loss earlier this month in a first-round series against the team from the North.
Hapoel is strong in the backcourt with great shooting to compliment guard Timmy Bowers, who leads the team in scoring (16 ppg), along with point guards Yuval Naimi and Moran Rot splitting time.
Its biggest problems are up front, where it severely lacks size. Despite bringing in Torin Francis late in the season, Hapoel often finds itself short-handed down low.
Those issues have not yet affected coach Guy Goodes' team, which is still second in the league in rebounding (26.3). Given the past difficulties Hapoel has had with Nahariya, post presence will certainly be a concern in the first round.
The one comfort Jerusalem will have in the opening round is home-court advantage. Hapoel is undefeated at home, which should provide the team with plenty of confidence in the opening series against a team it has failed to beat with any consistency.
Maccabi Haifa Heat
The Heat has lived up to its preseason billing and, thanks to a change in
personnel and the acquisition of quality American talent, Haifa now finds itself as the third seed in the BSL tournament.
Forward Davon Jefferson just recently broke out, developing into the scorer that Maccabi expected when they signed him, raising his average to 16.1 points per game.
He has stepped up much more lately than in the past with more aggressiveness that has led to more shots and rebounds. In the win over Maccabi Tel Aviv, Jefferson put up 28 points and 11 rebounds just three weeks after totaling his season-high in points and rebounds against Ironi Kiryat Ata.
However, the team's hopes of advancing lie on the shoulders of Doron Perkins.
While Haifa's starting point guard was out a few weeks with an injury, the team's offense struggled to make up for his ability to run the offense as well as his leadership. The Heat hope to have both in this first-round series.
Hapoel Holon
As the defending champion with arguably the best backcourt in the league, this team knows what's required to win it all, especially after upsetting Tel Aviv in the Final Four last year.
Despite losing its last two games of the season, Holon as been one of the hottest teams in the BSL and a major threat to anyone it plays.
One of the contributing factors, Luis Flores, has made a serious run for Most Valuable Player by leading the league in scoring averaging 19.8 points per game.
Hapoel's other guard, and the team's No. 2 scorer, Deron Washington, has taken much of the load off Flores in order to create mismatches offensively.
Ever since defeating Jerusalem on March 16, Holon coach Dany Franko has seen his team struggle. It won the next two games against Nahariya and Kiryat Ata, but both by under five points.
Two weeks later, Holon went into Ashkelon and lost, 94-84, and ended the season on a sour note, losing at Maccabi Tel Aviv.
While Flores and Washington will carry much of the load, Hapoel will have to get help from some of the other veterans if it expects to make a run in the tournament.
Hapoel Galil/Gilboa
Oded Katash's team has quietly put together a team capable of upsetting Holon - or anyone else for that matter, thanks to a four-game winning streak to end the season.
Its speed has made up for what it has lacked in size, with Brian Roberts and Brian Randle taking on much of the scoring load.
Roberts is the seventh-best shooter (65.4%) in the BSL, which has allowed him to make a great impact without having to shoot much.
Galil has shown it can be competitive against anyone, but has struggled to beat some of the league's best teams. Its most impressive feat was beating Haifa twice this season. However, Gilboa will have to rely on good shooting in order to do well in the postseason.
Bnei Hasharon
Hasharon is perhaps the most inconsistent team in the playoff.
It is the only team in the BSL to defeat Tel Aviv, Jerusalem and Haifa this season. At the same time, though, it is one of two playoff teams (Ashkelon being the second) which has lost to Kiryat Ata and Maccabi Rishon Lezion.
Hasharon's biggest strength is its defense. Coach Ariel Beit Halachmi's team is fourth in the BSL for points allowed. The two biggest reasons for that are Shaun James and Ousmane Cisse.
James (2.2) and Cisse (2.0) ranked first and second in the league in blocked shots. Their presence down low has forced other teams to shoot jumpers with a little more regularity than they would like, and the improvement they have made to the front court defense has been invaluable.
The major weakness for the team is that it has lacked a primary scoring threat for much of the season. Recently acquired Ira Newble has eased the burden so far (15.6 points), but in order for Hasharon to advance, it is the defense that will have to step up.
Ironi Nahariya
This is a team that simply won't go away.
Despite having a record below .500, Nahariya has frustrated plenty of teams, and in some cases has even pulled out upset victories, as was the case when it downed Hapoel Jerusalem on April 6.
It took a big blow just prior to that game, when financial difficulties led management to get rid of point guard Raviv Limonad and power forward Aaron McGhee. Since then, other players have stepped up in their absence.
The biggest improvement of the season has come from Phillip Ricci. The talented forward has averaged 18 points in the last three games of the season and has become much more aggressive near the conclusion of the schedule.
Ricci will be expected to take much of the load off the team's leading scorer Ron Lewis, who has continued his dominance offensively in the absence of Limonad and McGhee. The shooting guard has scored over 20 points in six of his last seven games, spending much of his time out on the perimeter.
Lewis will be integral to Ironi's chances in its first-round matchup against Jerusalem, as he scored a season-high 29 points in their last meeting, capitalizing on 6-of-9 in field goals and 4-of-6 from the perimeter.
If he can duplicate the success he had the last time his team went against Jerusalem, Nahariya will make it difficult for Hapoel to close out the series.
Ironi Ashkelon
Ashkelon's late improvements went a long way in giving it the victories needed down the stretch to secure a playoff berth, but it's not likely to be hanging around for long.
Ironi is led by the league's best rebounder in Rashon Turner (15.5 points, 10.6 rebounds) but he is the only major force on the club. As a result, Ashkelon has had problems competing for most of the season.
The team from the South is the only playoff team to lose to all four teams in the relegation tournament. In fact, had it not been for its win on April 13 over Hapoel Holon, it would've failed to make the playoffs.
Ashkelon did the job necessary to prevent Ramat Gan from advancing, but it will have massive problems surviving in its series against Maccabi Tel Aviv with a severe lack of firepower.
After six long months and 22 regular season games for each team, the BSL playoffs finally get under way this weekend.
If last season's super-dramatic Final Four was any indication of what the BSL postseason might hold in store just 12 months later, this year's new eight-team playoff format promises to be a thrilling adventure from start to finish.
While Maccabi Tel Aviv and Hapoel Jerusalem are the clear favorites, holding the top two seeds, No. 3 Maccabi Haifa Heat finished just a game above Hapoel Holon, Hapoel Galil/Gilboa and Bnei Hasharon, all of whom have 13-9 records.
Here is a breakdown of all eight playoff teams.
Maccabi Tel Aviv
By Maccabi's standards, it was a less than stellar year, mainly because of its Euroleague performance and disciplinary issues.
On paper, however, Tel Aviv (19-3) is the BSL's top team and favored to win the Israeli league championship. Maccabi has seen its floor leader, Carlos Arroyo, become one of the top point guards in the league, with a 3.3 assist/turnover ratio while leading the team in points (15.5) and assists (6.2).
Tel Aviv coach Pini Gershon has the league's deepest team from top-to-bottom, with strength at every position. Maccabi has six players averaging double-figures this year, making the team an overwhelming threat for anyone looking to hold down the offense.
Aside from having six scoring threats, the yellow-and-blue hold the league's top field-goal (62%) and three-point (40%) percentages.
Although Maccabi is focused on avoiding a postseason similar to last year, it won't be easy with a deep talent pool throughout the league. Gershon and Co. struggled at the end of the season against Maccabi Haifa in a close loss on April 12.
Tel Aviv's most alarming loss came on December 14 against sixth-seeded Bnei Hasharon, which held Maccabi to 78 points.
Its first round opponent is Ironi Ashkelon, who it has beaten twice already and should cruise by once again, but the road after that is not guaranteed to be easy by any means.
Hapoel Jerusalem
Throughout most of the season, Hapoel has found ways to beat teams week in, week out.
It wasn't until Ironi Ramat Gan pulled off a stunning 16-point victory over Jerusalem that things went wrong.
Over the last two months, Hapoel (17-5) lost three of its last eight games. All three of its losses were by double-digits, with the latest coming April 6 in a 15-point loss to Ironi Nahariya.
Jerusalem will now get the chance to make up for its loss earlier this month in a first-round series against the team from the North.
Hapoel is strong in the backcourt with great shooting to compliment guard Timmy Bowers, who leads the team in scoring (16 ppg), along with point guards Yuval Naimi and Moran Rot splitting time.
Its biggest problems are up front, where it severely lacks size. Despite bringing in Torin Francis late in the season, Hapoel often finds itself short-handed down low.
Those issues have not yet affected coach Guy Goodes' team, which is still second in the league in rebounding (26.3). Given the past difficulties Hapoel has had with Nahariya, post presence will certainly be a concern in the first round.
The one comfort Jerusalem will have in the opening round is home-court advantage. Hapoel is undefeated at home, which should provide the team with plenty of confidence in the opening series against a team it has failed to beat with any consistency.
Maccabi Haifa Heat
The Heat has lived up to its preseason billing and, thanks to a change in
personnel and the acquisition of quality American talent, Haifa now finds itself as the third seed in the BSL tournament.
Forward Davon Jefferson just recently broke out, developing into the scorer that Maccabi expected when they signed him, raising his average to 16.1 points per game.
He has stepped up much more lately than in the past with more aggressiveness that has led to more shots and rebounds. In the win over Maccabi Tel Aviv, Jefferson put up 28 points and 11 rebounds just three weeks after totaling his season-high in points and rebounds against Ironi Kiryat Ata.
However, the team's hopes of advancing lie on the shoulders of Doron Perkins.
While Haifa's starting point guard was out a few weeks with an injury, the team's offense struggled to make up for his ability to run the offense as well as his leadership. The Heat hope to have both in this first-round series.
Hapoel Holon
As the defending champion with arguably the best backcourt in the league, this team knows what's required to win it all, especially after upsetting Tel Aviv in the Final Four last year.
Despite losing its last two games of the season, Holon as been one of the hottest teams in the BSL and a major threat to anyone it plays.
One of the contributing factors, Luis Flores, has made a serious run for Most Valuable Player by leading the league in scoring averaging 19.8 points per game.
Hapoel's other guard, and the team's No. 2 scorer, Deron Washington, has taken much of the load off Flores in order to create mismatches offensively.
Ever since defeating Jerusalem on March 16, Holon coach Dany Franko has seen his team struggle. It won the next two games against Nahariya and Kiryat Ata, but both by under five points.
Two weeks later, Holon went into Ashkelon and lost, 94-84, and ended the season on a sour note, losing at Maccabi Tel Aviv.
While Flores and Washington will carry much of the load, Hapoel will have to get help from some of the other veterans if it expects to make a run in the tournament.
Hapoel Galil/Gilboa
Oded Katash's team has quietly put together a team capable of upsetting Holon - or anyone else for that matter, thanks to a four-game winning streak to end the season.
Its speed has made up for what it has lacked in size, with Brian Roberts and Brian Randle taking on much of the scoring load.
Roberts is the seventh-best shooter (65.4%) in the BSL, which has allowed him to make a great impact without having to shoot much.
Galil has shown it can be competitive against anyone, but has struggled to beat some of the league's best teams. Its most impressive feat was beating Haifa twice this season. However, Gilboa will have to rely on good shooting in order to do well in the postseason.
Bnei Hasharon
Hasharon is perhaps the most inconsistent team in the playoff.
It is the only team in the BSL to defeat Tel Aviv, Jerusalem and Haifa this season. At the same time, though, it is one of two playoff teams (Ashkelon being the second) which has lost to Kiryat Ata and Maccabi Rishon Lezion.
Hasharon's biggest strength is its defense. Coach Ariel Beit Halachmi's team is fourth in the BSL for points allowed. The two biggest reasons for that are Shaun James and Ousmane Cisse.
James (2.2) and Cisse (2.0) ranked first and second in the league in blocked shots. Their presence down low has forced other teams to shoot jumpers with a little more regularity than they would like, and the improvement they have made to the front court defense has been invaluable.
The major weakness for the team is that it has lacked a primary scoring threat for much of the season. Recently acquired Ira Newble has eased the burden so far (15.6 points), but in order for Hasharon to advance, it is the defense that will have to step up.
Ironi Nahariya
This is a team that simply won't go away.
Despite having a record below .500, Nahariya has frustrated plenty of teams, and in some cases has even pulled out upset victories, as was the case when it downed Hapoel Jerusalem on April 6.
It took a big blow just prior to that game, when financial difficulties led management to get rid of point guard Raviv Limonad and power forward Aaron McGhee. Since then, other players have stepped up in their absence.
The biggest improvement of the season has come from Phillip Ricci. The talented forward has averaged 18 points in the last three games of the season and has become much more aggressive near the conclusion of the schedule.
Ricci will be expected to take much of the load off the team's leading scorer Ron Lewis, who has continued his dominance offensively in the absence of Limonad and McGhee. The shooting guard has scored over 20 points in six of his last seven games, spending much of his time out on the perimeter.
Lewis will be integral to Ironi's chances in its first-round matchup against Jerusalem, as he scored a season-high 29 points in their last meeting, capitalizing on 6-of-9 in field goals and 4-of-6 from the perimeter.
If he can duplicate the success he had the last time his team went against Jerusalem, Nahariya will make it difficult for Hapoel to close out the series.
Ironi Ashkelon
Ashkelon's late improvements went a long way in giving it the victories needed down the stretch to secure a playoff berth, but it's not likely to be hanging around for long.
Ironi is led by the league's best rebounder in Rashon Turner (15.5 points, 10.6 rebounds) but he is the only major force on the club. As a result, Ashkelon has had problems competing for most of the season.
The team from the South is the only playoff team to lose to all four teams in the relegation tournament. In fact, had it not been for its win on April 13 over Hapoel Holon, it would've failed to make the playoffs.
Ashkelon did the job necessary to prevent Ramat Gan from advancing, but it will have massive problems surviving in its series against Maccabi Tel Aviv with a severe lack of firepower.
Tuesday, April 21, 2009
Goodman for passover
Tamir Goodman, the "Jewish Jordan" in the past and a religion soldier and aggressive marketing man of the green product in the present, is already counting the minutes to the Seder. In a special holiday interview he talks about the holiday's meaning, the situation of the team, the marketing and also about the chances to see him on the court. With God's help, of course
Written by: Tal Miller, Yediot Haifa
7/4/09
Strange, weird, impalpable. Any superlative that you will find will not be able to describe the wonderful story of Tamir Goodman.
Back in the previous century he was still leading "Talmudic High School" in Baltimore with over 35 ppg and about 15 assists, and was the last person we can remember that got an article in "Sport Illustrated" until Bar Refaeli's appearance.
The abysmal gap between that superstar which got the undying nickname "Jewish Jordan" and between the player that has less game time today than Tal Azulay might cause the viewers in the side to feel sorry for Goodman's sportive crash.
But the truth is that Goodman is the last one that needs to be sorry for. Despite the two minutes he has in all of Haifa's games this season together, Goodman is one of the busiest players in the team, if not the busiest. Alongside his for activity in all the practices, the man isn’t less than a thriving marketing machine that works day after day, hour after hour, using endless email lists and the dozens of summer camps he has in the US. All that for enhancing the prestige of the Heat across Uncle Sam's country and the rest of the Diaspora, in order to raise funds to the team and cause those people to operate in Israel and to give them a wide angle about what's going on here. So far Goodman gained amounts to the club that are estimated in about 100 thousand Shekels, without doubt the most efficient player in relation to his game time.
A night before the Passover Seder, which he will have with his family and Todd Golden in Haifa, we caught Goodman for a chat to absorb some holiday spirit and to hear about Passover meaning and its customs: "There are two special things that I like about Passover" tells Goodman in American Hebrew, while saying the words "Hakadosh Baruch Hu" (God almighty) and "Beezrat Hashem" (with God's help) once in 12-14 words. "The first is the Matzo issue. Bread symbolizes selfishness, and the Matzo symbolizes modesty, it's pure. In Passover we don’t only clean the leavened, but also our selfishness and ego so that we'll be better people and go in the path the God expects us to. The second this that I like is that God took us out of Egypt and brought to Israel, that is the best gift he gave us and we celebrate this gift".
I suppose it's pointless to ask if you read the Haggadah until the end
"Of course I do, it is our duty to remember the exodus, from slavery to freedom".
Which song in the Haggadah do you sympathize the most?
"My favourite one is Dayenu, because it's exactly like the song, God gave us so much good, and here we say to God: we thank you for all that you did, we appreciate it and all we want is to thank you again and again".
What is Tamir Goodman's Dayenu?
"I only try to get as close as I can to God, and only do the best I can for the world. I know what God expects from me on the court and off the court, he is the boss".
Explain this connection you have with Todd Golden
"I have a special connection with everybody, I love them all and I try to bring joy to all of them, to anyone I meet, but I do have something special with Jewish players that came from the US. I know how they feel, and I want to help them blend in here. God gave me the power to come and settle down here, and I want to see more players doing the same. That way they return to the US and tell good things about Israel and that’s the purpose".
It looks like you are the team's religion officer
"In Judaism it goes like this, every one has to use his skill to strengthen it. Anywhere I go I always try to be happy, act the way god wants me to, however in synagogue you will always see me acting the same way".
Any other player that would have sat on the bench for so long would have wanted to burn down the club. And you go and raise funds
"My pleasure is that through the skill that god gave me I try to keep in touch with people and strengthen the love for Israel. And so fat thank god it is working excellently. We had big success in the past year so far and all we think is about more people that we can bring the happiness of Judaism to them through basketball".
How did you get in this marketing field so strongly?
"I have been dealing with the marketing of the country for many years, but I always dreamed to not do it privately but combine it with basketball. Through Maccabi Haifa I managed to fulfil this dream. Jeff and I have the same vision, and when we met it was a real love at first sight, and I'm always in contact with them. I'm going to practice now and before that I'm meeting with a Jew that came here and has been sending emails to people around the world about the team. Anyone I can be in touch with about the team, I do it. So far, through my summer camps and the media and other factors, I have reached over 25,000 Jews.
What do you think about the team's situation now?
"Right now the spirit is back in the team, everyone is smiling, we are doing well and I believe that if we keep this unity we can reach our goals with god's help".
Do you also pray for the team to win the championship?
"I don’t ask god for specific things. I practice every day the best way I can, work hard, pray hard, and I am sure he will take us where we need to go. I could have never believed that my life will be the way it is. The injuries, the US, travelling back and forth. I know that there are good things in everything, and our power is that the Jew can always deal with the reality and move on".
Do you pray for some game time?
"I'm happy to go up and play when I have the chance. I work hard to be ready when they call me and I know that I will do anything to contribute in every minute I get".
Will you be looking for the Aficoman on the Seder night?
"No, but my daughter is waiting for it with god's help, talks about it, and my goal is to convince her to get some sleep before the Seder".
And yet, despite that you won't be looking for it, what Aficoman can we wish for Tamir Goodman?
"Only to continue and get closer to god and to keep feeling great with the family, the kids and everything. If I'm close to him, I don’t need anything else".
Written by: Tal Miller, Yediot Haifa
7/4/09
Strange, weird, impalpable. Any superlative that you will find will not be able to describe the wonderful story of Tamir Goodman.
Back in the previous century he was still leading "Talmudic High School" in Baltimore with over 35 ppg and about 15 assists, and was the last person we can remember that got an article in "Sport Illustrated" until Bar Refaeli's appearance.
The abysmal gap between that superstar which got the undying nickname "Jewish Jordan" and between the player that has less game time today than Tal Azulay might cause the viewers in the side to feel sorry for Goodman's sportive crash.
But the truth is that Goodman is the last one that needs to be sorry for. Despite the two minutes he has in all of Haifa's games this season together, Goodman is one of the busiest players in the team, if not the busiest. Alongside his for activity in all the practices, the man isn’t less than a thriving marketing machine that works day after day, hour after hour, using endless email lists and the dozens of summer camps he has in the US. All that for enhancing the prestige of the Heat across Uncle Sam's country and the rest of the Diaspora, in order to raise funds to the team and cause those people to operate in Israel and to give them a wide angle about what's going on here. So far Goodman gained amounts to the club that are estimated in about 100 thousand Shekels, without doubt the most efficient player in relation to his game time.
A night before the Passover Seder, which he will have with his family and Todd Golden in Haifa, we caught Goodman for a chat to absorb some holiday spirit and to hear about Passover meaning and its customs: "There are two special things that I like about Passover" tells Goodman in American Hebrew, while saying the words "Hakadosh Baruch Hu" (God almighty) and "Beezrat Hashem" (with God's help) once in 12-14 words. "The first is the Matzo issue. Bread symbolizes selfishness, and the Matzo symbolizes modesty, it's pure. In Passover we don’t only clean the leavened, but also our selfishness and ego so that we'll be better people and go in the path the God expects us to. The second this that I like is that God took us out of Egypt and brought to Israel, that is the best gift he gave us and we celebrate this gift".
I suppose it's pointless to ask if you read the Haggadah until the end
"Of course I do, it is our duty to remember the exodus, from slavery to freedom".
Which song in the Haggadah do you sympathize the most?
"My favourite one is Dayenu, because it's exactly like the song, God gave us so much good, and here we say to God: we thank you for all that you did, we appreciate it and all we want is to thank you again and again".
What is Tamir Goodman's Dayenu?
"I only try to get as close as I can to God, and only do the best I can for the world. I know what God expects from me on the court and off the court, he is the boss".
Explain this connection you have with Todd Golden
"I have a special connection with everybody, I love them all and I try to bring joy to all of them, to anyone I meet, but I do have something special with Jewish players that came from the US. I know how they feel, and I want to help them blend in here. God gave me the power to come and settle down here, and I want to see more players doing the same. That way they return to the US and tell good things about Israel and that’s the purpose".
It looks like you are the team's religion officer
"In Judaism it goes like this, every one has to use his skill to strengthen it. Anywhere I go I always try to be happy, act the way god wants me to, however in synagogue you will always see me acting the same way".
Any other player that would have sat on the bench for so long would have wanted to burn down the club. And you go and raise funds
"My pleasure is that through the skill that god gave me I try to keep in touch with people and strengthen the love for Israel. And so fat thank god it is working excellently. We had big success in the past year so far and all we think is about more people that we can bring the happiness of Judaism to them through basketball".
How did you get in this marketing field so strongly?
"I have been dealing with the marketing of the country for many years, but I always dreamed to not do it privately but combine it with basketball. Through Maccabi Haifa I managed to fulfil this dream. Jeff and I have the same vision, and when we met it was a real love at first sight, and I'm always in contact with them. I'm going to practice now and before that I'm meeting with a Jew that came here and has been sending emails to people around the world about the team. Anyone I can be in touch with about the team, I do it. So far, through my summer camps and the media and other factors, I have reached over 25,000 Jews.
What do you think about the team's situation now?
"Right now the spirit is back in the team, everyone is smiling, we are doing well and I believe that if we keep this unity we can reach our goals with god's help".
Do you also pray for the team to win the championship?
"I don’t ask god for specific things. I practice every day the best way I can, work hard, pray hard, and I am sure he will take us where we need to go. I could have never believed that my life will be the way it is. The injuries, the US, travelling back and forth. I know that there are good things in everything, and our power is that the Jew can always deal with the reality and move on".
Do you pray for some game time?
"I'm happy to go up and play when I have the chance. I work hard to be ready when they call me and I know that I will do anything to contribute in every minute I get".
Will you be looking for the Aficoman on the Seder night?
"No, but my daughter is waiting for it with god's help, talks about it, and my goal is to convince her to get some sleep before the Seder".
And yet, despite that you won't be looking for it, what Aficoman can we wish for Tamir Goodman?
"Only to continue and get closer to god and to keep feeling great with the family, the kids and everything. If I'm close to him, I don’t need anything else".
A triple interview : Kozikaro, Mizrahi and Avi Ashkenazi tell about the amazing feeling of beating Maccabi Tel Aviv
Written by: Or Ritter, MHFC.co.il
13/4/09
Maccabi Haifa got a big win yesterday (Sunday) a big win on Maccabi Tel Aviv that despite being both sweet and historic, also has big importance after the greens guaranteed the 3rd place almost finally, and the home advantage in the playoffs.
Or Ritter heard Ido Kozikaro, Moshe Mizrahi and the coach Avi Ashkenazi tell about the amazing experience last night, about the crowd that filled Romema and created an electrifying atmosphere, and of course about the upcoming playoff. A triple green interview, one day after one of Maccabi Haifa's biggest wins in the last years and ever.
Ido Kozikaro, what was it like to wake up in the morning after this huge win?
"(Laughs…) the truth is that didn’t really wake up in the morning, I didn’t sleep all night, and I was with my son. It was really amazing; it was fun to win and to see Romema full. We can only pray that it'll keep being like this, not only against Maccabi Tel Aviv".
It seemed that you were simply much more determined than they were
"Look, we knew it was a very important game for towards the playoff. We wanted to ensure the home advantage and I'm happy we lived up to that. We played outstandingly against one of the best teams in Europe, we played correctly and that’s what brought us the win".
As the captain, it seems that there is a perfect connection between you and the fans. How did that happen so fast?
"First of all I have to say that it's a big compliment for me. I think I'm a player that the crowd usually loves and appreciates. I always try to do my best, it doesn’t always work but I always try. I also know to appreciate the crowd and its support, especially in games like yesterday or like in the cup. Maccabi Haifa's crowd is the best in the country and all it needs is to prove it. Yesterday they did it, and we returned the favor, big time".
When you finished the game with five fouls, were you afraid you were going to lose the game?
"Not at all, actually during the game Avi Ashkenazi told me to sacrifice fouls and to send them to the line and that’s what I did. I tried to use my fouls wisely, I trusted all the guys to do the job right and that’s what happened".
The eyes on the playoff, Bnei Hasharon or Galil awaits you, not a simple task
"They are both very good teams, dangerous teams that already beat us this season. The entire league is very balanced; you always have to come focused in order to win. I really hope that we'll do it and make it to the final four, and see those 5000 green fans in the stance, and maybe this time we'll go one step further than last time".
Moshe Mizrahi, Ido says that he hadn’t slept all night. What was it like to get up in the morning after yesterday?
"Waking up in the morning? (laughs…). As usual, I drank my morning coffee; I took the dog out… same routine. I read the newspaper, saw the pictures from last night. The feelings are very good, I am very happy about the win for the fans, for all the people in the system, but eventually we have to stay in proportions, after all it's still only a league game. We are already looking forward to the playoff".
After beating Maccabi Tel Aviv, can you finally be named the 'Holon of last season'?
"I don’t think you can compare us, Holon won the championship last season and we are still far from it. The story might be similar, but the teams are completely different. We want to be Maccabi Haifa and not Hapoel Holon".
A word about the audience – there was an amazing atmosphere last night
"The crowd was really an experience, unbelievable. We were shocked, they didn’t stio singing and cheering for a moment. That shows you that if you want something enough, you can do it. The crowd was our 6th player last night, and I hope that these sorts of numbers will show up not only when Maccabi Tel Aviv arrives to Romema".
So yesterday you beat Maccabi Tel Aviv, and you've beaten Jerusalem in the cup, can you win the championship?
"First of all we have to make it to the final four. We have a difficult series waiting for us in the playoff. I personally don’t have a preference between Bnai Hasharon and Galil. They are both very difficult teams that already beat us this season".
Coach Avi Ashkenazi, what are the feelings after the win and the celebrations yesterday?
"Last night was amazing. It was an experience of once in a few years. The arena was packed, the audience pushed the team in the best way possible. The atmosphere was electrifying and added a lot to this excellent achievement".
It seemed that you were simply much more determined than they were, first to every ball. How do you explain that?
"I think that we are in an improvement period since the changes we've made. There is a positive spirit in the team, commitment by everybody, and there is also determination, and then you see beautiful basketball".
Without ruining the joy, or god forbid underestimate the achievement, do you think that if the game was a little more important to Maccabi Tel Aviv it would have ended the same way?
"Statistically, Maccabi Tel Aviv lost 3 times this season out of 21 games, so you can do the math alone if last night's achievement is amazing or not. I think we don’t have to deal with the others, what's important to them or not important, but focus on what's important for us. It was really a very big experience, the atmosphere reminded me the week with the semi final and final of the cup".
Devon Jefferson simply exploded yesterday
"No doubt about it, Devon exploded yesterday, but he wasn’t the only one that played well. Malik was excellent too in the second half, Moshe Mizrahi did an amazing job on defense, Ido Kozikaro and Doron Perkins were also amazing. Everyone did a great job and they all have a part in this win".
Towards the playoff, if you'll finish in 3rd place, which one do you prefer to get, Bnei Hasharon or Galil?
"I don’t think I have a preference. Anyone that we get will be a good team. The important thing is that we'll play our basketball. I'd like to use this opportunity and call the fans to show up in the playoff series too, that is not less important than yesterday's game. It is very important to us".
13/4/09
Maccabi Haifa got a big win yesterday (Sunday) a big win on Maccabi Tel Aviv that despite being both sweet and historic, also has big importance after the greens guaranteed the 3rd place almost finally, and the home advantage in the playoffs.
Or Ritter heard Ido Kozikaro, Moshe Mizrahi and the coach Avi Ashkenazi tell about the amazing experience last night, about the crowd that filled Romema and created an electrifying atmosphere, and of course about the upcoming playoff. A triple green interview, one day after one of Maccabi Haifa's biggest wins in the last years and ever.
Ido Kozikaro, what was it like to wake up in the morning after this huge win?
"(Laughs…) the truth is that didn’t really wake up in the morning, I didn’t sleep all night, and I was with my son. It was really amazing; it was fun to win and to see Romema full. We can only pray that it'll keep being like this, not only against Maccabi Tel Aviv".
It seemed that you were simply much more determined than they were
"Look, we knew it was a very important game for towards the playoff. We wanted to ensure the home advantage and I'm happy we lived up to that. We played outstandingly against one of the best teams in Europe, we played correctly and that’s what brought us the win".
As the captain, it seems that there is a perfect connection between you and the fans. How did that happen so fast?
"First of all I have to say that it's a big compliment for me. I think I'm a player that the crowd usually loves and appreciates. I always try to do my best, it doesn’t always work but I always try. I also know to appreciate the crowd and its support, especially in games like yesterday or like in the cup. Maccabi Haifa's crowd is the best in the country and all it needs is to prove it. Yesterday they did it, and we returned the favor, big time".
When you finished the game with five fouls, were you afraid you were going to lose the game?
"Not at all, actually during the game Avi Ashkenazi told me to sacrifice fouls and to send them to the line and that’s what I did. I tried to use my fouls wisely, I trusted all the guys to do the job right and that’s what happened".
The eyes on the playoff, Bnei Hasharon or Galil awaits you, not a simple task
"They are both very good teams, dangerous teams that already beat us this season. The entire league is very balanced; you always have to come focused in order to win. I really hope that we'll do it and make it to the final four, and see those 5000 green fans in the stance, and maybe this time we'll go one step further than last time".
Moshe Mizrahi, Ido says that he hadn’t slept all night. What was it like to get up in the morning after yesterday?
"Waking up in the morning? (laughs…). As usual, I drank my morning coffee; I took the dog out… same routine. I read the newspaper, saw the pictures from last night. The feelings are very good, I am very happy about the win for the fans, for all the people in the system, but eventually we have to stay in proportions, after all it's still only a league game. We are already looking forward to the playoff".
After beating Maccabi Tel Aviv, can you finally be named the 'Holon of last season'?
"I don’t think you can compare us, Holon won the championship last season and we are still far from it. The story might be similar, but the teams are completely different. We want to be Maccabi Haifa and not Hapoel Holon".
A word about the audience – there was an amazing atmosphere last night
"The crowd was really an experience, unbelievable. We were shocked, they didn’t stio singing and cheering for a moment. That shows you that if you want something enough, you can do it. The crowd was our 6th player last night, and I hope that these sorts of numbers will show up not only when Maccabi Tel Aviv arrives to Romema".
So yesterday you beat Maccabi Tel Aviv, and you've beaten Jerusalem in the cup, can you win the championship?
"First of all we have to make it to the final four. We have a difficult series waiting for us in the playoff. I personally don’t have a preference between Bnai Hasharon and Galil. They are both very difficult teams that already beat us this season".
Coach Avi Ashkenazi, what are the feelings after the win and the celebrations yesterday?
"Last night was amazing. It was an experience of once in a few years. The arena was packed, the audience pushed the team in the best way possible. The atmosphere was electrifying and added a lot to this excellent achievement".
It seemed that you were simply much more determined than they were, first to every ball. How do you explain that?
"I think that we are in an improvement period since the changes we've made. There is a positive spirit in the team, commitment by everybody, and there is also determination, and then you see beautiful basketball".
Without ruining the joy, or god forbid underestimate the achievement, do you think that if the game was a little more important to Maccabi Tel Aviv it would have ended the same way?
"Statistically, Maccabi Tel Aviv lost 3 times this season out of 21 games, so you can do the math alone if last night's achievement is amazing or not. I think we don’t have to deal with the others, what's important to them or not important, but focus on what's important for us. It was really a very big experience, the atmosphere reminded me the week with the semi final and final of the cup".
Devon Jefferson simply exploded yesterday
"No doubt about it, Devon exploded yesterday, but he wasn’t the only one that played well. Malik was excellent too in the second half, Moshe Mizrahi did an amazing job on defense, Ido Kozikaro and Doron Perkins were also amazing. Everyone did a great job and they all have a part in this win".
Towards the playoff, if you'll finish in 3rd place, which one do you prefer to get, Bnei Hasharon or Galil?
"I don’t think I have a preference. Anyone that we get will be a good team. The important thing is that we'll play our basketball. I'd like to use this opportunity and call the fans to show up in the playoff series too, that is not less important than yesterday's game. It is very important to us".
Monday, April 20, 2009
Sunday, April 12, 2009
Thursday, April 9, 2009
Tuesday, April 7, 2009
Ironi Ashkelon – Maccabi Haifa 84:77
taken from : ynet.co.il
Haifa scored 12 points without any on Ashkelon's side, and rose to 4:14, with Davon Jefferson wowing the crowd with a 360 degrees dunk.
Doron Perkins sealed with a great first quarter with 14 points, 5 assists and 3 steals, with the Greens leading with 23:33.
Three pointers by Amit Tamir and C.J. Bruton brought Ashkelon back to 37:35.
Avi Ben Chimol completed this dramatic change, bringing Ashkelon to halftime with a 45:48 lead.
The tight game went on all the way to the end, with the third quarter sealed with a minimal 65:66 to the Greens.
Haifa reached the last 2 minutes with a small lead, with 74:76, with Perkins and Gur Porat managing to leave the win on Haifa's side.
Ashkelon missed suicide shots and enabled its opponent to increase its lead and win at 77:84.
For Ashkelon: Turner 18 (8 rebounds), Bruton 16, Ben Chimol 9, Tamir 8, Eitan 7, Kelley 6, Grant 5, Truscott 4, Jeron Roberts and Shahar Cohen 2 points each.
For Haifa: Perkins 27 (7 rebounds, 7 assists), Jefferson 19, Kozikaro 10, Dickson 9, Porat 6, Sales 5, Moshe Mizrahi and Golden 3 points each, Ben David 2.
Haifa scored 12 points without any on Ashkelon's side, and rose to 4:14, with Davon Jefferson wowing the crowd with a 360 degrees dunk.
Doron Perkins sealed with a great first quarter with 14 points, 5 assists and 3 steals, with the Greens leading with 23:33.
Three pointers by Amit Tamir and C.J. Bruton brought Ashkelon back to 37:35.
Avi Ben Chimol completed this dramatic change, bringing Ashkelon to halftime with a 45:48 lead.
The tight game went on all the way to the end, with the third quarter sealed with a minimal 65:66 to the Greens.
Haifa reached the last 2 minutes with a small lead, with 74:76, with Perkins and Gur Porat managing to leave the win on Haifa's side.
Ashkelon missed suicide shots and enabled its opponent to increase its lead and win at 77:84.
For Ashkelon: Turner 18 (8 rebounds), Bruton 16, Ben Chimol 9, Tamir 8, Eitan 7, Kelley 6, Grant 5, Truscott 4, Jeron Roberts and Shahar Cohen 2 points each.
For Haifa: Perkins 27 (7 rebounds, 7 assists), Jefferson 19, Kozikaro 10, Dickson 9, Porat 6, Sales 5, Moshe Mizrahi and Golden 3 points each, Ben David 2.
Monday, April 6, 2009
Sunday, April 5, 2009
Friday, April 3, 2009
The Maccabi Haifa basketball team's line up
We present everyone, the MACCABI HAIFA BASKETBALL TEAM line up!!!!!
http://picasaweb.google.com/avishaybomba/rZlDsJ?authkey=Gv1sRgCJv_6JXqytCn5QE&feat=email#5319691405164312338
http://picasaweb.google.com/avishaybomba/rZlDsJ?authkey=Gv1sRgCJv_6JXqytCn5QE&feat=email#5319691405164312338
BSL Notebook: The power of Perkins
Over the past two weeks, Doron Perkins has proven that not even a little rust from an injury can prevent him from taking over a game for the Maccabi Haifa Heat.
The point guard finished with seven points and eight assists in his first game back during Haifa's rout over Ironi Kiryat Ata last week and in the very next game, against Givat Shmuel on Sunday, he tacked on 20 points with six assists.
Maccabi coach Avi Ashkenazi has seen a major addition to Perkins's‚ play that has played a large part in the team's two-game winning streak. Haifa's scoring leader has become one of the league's top defensive forces since returning to the Heat.
During the game against Givat Shmuel, Perkins gathered four steals - as many as his previous three games combined - before getting a season high of seven in Sunday's win.
Perkins's ability to play on both ends of the floor allowed Haifa to hold Givat Shmuel to 69 points. The last time Maccabi (12-7) held a team below 70 points was February 7 in its 75-68 win over Maccabi Rishon Lezion.
The improved defense could not have come at a better time. Its next two opponents will be against teams in the top half of the BSL in scoring (Maccabi Tel Aviv and Ironi Ashkelon).
Perkins's defense has put Haifa back in third place, but he will need to continue his efforts to help Maccabi clinch home-court advantage throughout the playoffs.
Better late than never
Until this week, Ironi Ashkelon's chances of making the postseason looked improbable. But, with its additions of C.J. Bruton and Tyrone Grant, it has found itself one game behind playoff contention and is currently on a two-game winning streak.
Although both players are coming off the bench, they both understand what it takes to win.
Bruton has long been considered one of the best players in the Australian Basketball League with three championships while Grant has competed with some of Italy's top teams.
Neither have impressive stats on paper, but their experience and intangibles helped change Ashkelon's fate. Bruton's understanding of the game has allowed him to create scoring opportunities for his teammates while Grant has given the team more strength inside.
Their presence has allowed Rahshon Turner to get more open looks at the basket, with the newcomers‚ ability to draw the defense away.
In the last two games, Turner has shot 72 percent. The last time Ashkelon‚s leading scorer has shot over 70% in a two-game stretch was in week six. That time, his hot hand couldn't avoid his team from continuing its slump as it stumbled to a 2-4 record.
Ironi (7-12) will finish the season with three straight home games against teams with winning records and cannot yet relax despite playing in the friendly confines of its home crowd.
March madness
After losing its fifth straight game to Maccabi Haifa, Givat Shmuel is one team that would like to forget about this past month.
Givat (7-12) has been competitive in many of its losses with a point margin below 15 in every game except for Bnei Hasharon, which won by 21 points.
Its main problem is the first quarter. The only time Shmuel coach Oren Aharoni has seen his team put up at least 20 points in the opening period was in its one-point loss to Ironi Ramat Gan.
Every other time can be attributed to a slow start that the team struggles to overcome. It has averaged 16.8 points in the first quarter throughout its drought.
At the end of February, Givat Shmuel sat at 7-7. It is currently in the league's bottom four, but only one game behind Ramat Gan and Ironi Nahariya.
Its schedule certainly isn‚t doing the team any favors.Givat will be playing top-five teams through the end of the season. That makes getting off to a quick start even more important since all three of its opponents are capable of taking Aharoni's team right out of the game if the deficit gets too large.
The point guard finished with seven points and eight assists in his first game back during Haifa's rout over Ironi Kiryat Ata last week and in the very next game, against Givat Shmuel on Sunday, he tacked on 20 points with six assists.
Maccabi coach Avi Ashkenazi has seen a major addition to Perkins's‚ play that has played a large part in the team's two-game winning streak. Haifa's scoring leader has become one of the league's top defensive forces since returning to the Heat.
During the game against Givat Shmuel, Perkins gathered four steals - as many as his previous three games combined - before getting a season high of seven in Sunday's win.
Perkins's ability to play on both ends of the floor allowed Haifa to hold Givat Shmuel to 69 points. The last time Maccabi (12-7) held a team below 70 points was February 7 in its 75-68 win over Maccabi Rishon Lezion.
The improved defense could not have come at a better time. Its next two opponents will be against teams in the top half of the BSL in scoring (Maccabi Tel Aviv and Ironi Ashkelon).
Perkins's defense has put Haifa back in third place, but he will need to continue his efforts to help Maccabi clinch home-court advantage throughout the playoffs.
Better late than never
Until this week, Ironi Ashkelon's chances of making the postseason looked improbable. But, with its additions of C.J. Bruton and Tyrone Grant, it has found itself one game behind playoff contention and is currently on a two-game winning streak.
Although both players are coming off the bench, they both understand what it takes to win.
Bruton has long been considered one of the best players in the Australian Basketball League with three championships while Grant has competed with some of Italy's top teams.
Neither have impressive stats on paper, but their experience and intangibles helped change Ashkelon's fate. Bruton's understanding of the game has allowed him to create scoring opportunities for his teammates while Grant has given the team more strength inside.
Their presence has allowed Rahshon Turner to get more open looks at the basket, with the newcomers‚ ability to draw the defense away.
In the last two games, Turner has shot 72 percent. The last time Ashkelon‚s leading scorer has shot over 70% in a two-game stretch was in week six. That time, his hot hand couldn't avoid his team from continuing its slump as it stumbled to a 2-4 record.
Ironi (7-12) will finish the season with three straight home games against teams with winning records and cannot yet relax despite playing in the friendly confines of its home crowd.
March madness
After losing its fifth straight game to Maccabi Haifa, Givat Shmuel is one team that would like to forget about this past month.
Givat (7-12) has been competitive in many of its losses with a point margin below 15 in every game except for Bnei Hasharon, which won by 21 points.
Its main problem is the first quarter. The only time Shmuel coach Oren Aharoni has seen his team put up at least 20 points in the opening period was in its one-point loss to Ironi Ramat Gan.
Every other time can be attributed to a slow start that the team struggles to overcome. It has averaged 16.8 points in the first quarter throughout its drought.
At the end of February, Givat Shmuel sat at 7-7. It is currently in the league's bottom four, but only one game behind Ramat Gan and Ironi Nahariya.
Its schedule certainly isn‚t doing the team any favors.Givat will be playing top-five teams through the end of the season. That makes getting off to a quick start even more important since all three of its opponents are capable of taking Aharoni's team right out of the game if the deficit gets too large.
Local Hoops: Jerusalem comes back to defeat Galil/Gilboa 81-74 at Malha
Hapoel Jerusalem maintained its perfect home league record on Sunday, overcoming a stern test from Hapoel Galil/Gilboa.
Galil led by six points with less than three minutes to play, but Hapoel ended the encounter with a 13-0 run to win 81-74 and improve to 9-0 at Malha in the BSL this season.
Timmy Bowers made the difference in the closing stages, scoring nine of his side's final 13 points, ending the game with 23 points.
"Down the stretch we just wanted to show our heart and character," Bowers said. "It was tough. Galil played great today and made a lot of shots. This was a very important win."
Roger Powell added 16 points and seven rebounds for Jerusalem, which with just four more games remaining to play in the regular season is now very close to clinching second position in the standings.
Isaiah Swann led five Galil players in double-figures, scoring 14 points.
"Jerusalem made some big plays in the crucial minutes and Bowers hit shots only he is capable of in Israel," said Galil coach Oded Katash, who was infuriated with the referees at the end of the game after seeing a call go against his team in the final minute.
It was a difficult evening for the hosts, who scored the first points of the night, but then struggled on offense for the remainder of the first half, allowing the visitors to dictate the play.
Galil led 16-15 after the first period and an 11-1 run in the second quarter, capped by a Swann three-pointer, opened a 37-29 margin.
The hosts closed to within four points by the break (37-33) and opened a 47-43 advantage after a good start to the second half.
Two straight Dagan Yavzuri threes gave Galil a 57-55 advantage with 10 minutes to play, and Katash's team seemed to be well placed with less than three minutes to go, leading 74-68.
However, the final minutes belonged to the hosts and especially Bowers, who almost single handedly turned the game on its head.
Meanwhile, in Nahariya, a Luis Flores basket with 2.5 seconds remaining gave Hapoel Holon its fourth straight victory, 76-74 over Ironi Nahariya.
Flores scored 25 points for Holon, with Ron Lewis scoring 23 points for the losers.
Also Sunday, Maccabi Haifa snapped its three game losing streak, defeating Ironi Kiryat Ata 92-75 in Romema.
After losing its last two games by a combined 41 points, Haifa was desperate to return to winning ways, but didn't have it all its own way against Kiryat Ata.
The BSL's rock-bottom team remained in touch with Haifa for the first 26 minutes of the game, only for the hosts to go on a 15-4 run in the final four minutes of the third period to clinch the win.
Davon Jefferson was superb for Haifa, scoring 31 points and taking 15 rebounds. Doron Perkins scored seven points and passed eight assists on his return from injury, with Moshe Mizrahi and Ido Kozikaro each adding 16 points.
Haminn Quaintance scored 17 points for Kiryat Ata, which is running out of time in its battle against relegation.
Bnei Hasharon suffered a surprise 81-76 defeat at Ironi Ashkelon on Sunday, despite an excellent debut from new signing Ira Newble.
Newble led his team with 17 points, but Rashon Turner scored 17 points and grabbed 17 rebounds to help his team to a crucial victory.
Also Sunday, Ironi Ramat Gan claimed its fifth win in six games, beating Maccabi Givat Shmuel 90-89 after overtime behind Anthony Myles' 26 points.
On Monday, Maccabi Tel Aviv visits Maccabi Rishon Lezion.
Galil led by six points with less than three minutes to play, but Hapoel ended the encounter with a 13-0 run to win 81-74 and improve to 9-0 at Malha in the BSL this season.
Timmy Bowers made the difference in the closing stages, scoring nine of his side's final 13 points, ending the game with 23 points.
"Down the stretch we just wanted to show our heart and character," Bowers said. "It was tough. Galil played great today and made a lot of shots. This was a very important win."
Roger Powell added 16 points and seven rebounds for Jerusalem, which with just four more games remaining to play in the regular season is now very close to clinching second position in the standings.
Isaiah Swann led five Galil players in double-figures, scoring 14 points.
"Jerusalem made some big plays in the crucial minutes and Bowers hit shots only he is capable of in Israel," said Galil coach Oded Katash, who was infuriated with the referees at the end of the game after seeing a call go against his team in the final minute.
It was a difficult evening for the hosts, who scored the first points of the night, but then struggled on offense for the remainder of the first half, allowing the visitors to dictate the play.
Galil led 16-15 after the first period and an 11-1 run in the second quarter, capped by a Swann three-pointer, opened a 37-29 margin.
The hosts closed to within four points by the break (37-33) and opened a 47-43 advantage after a good start to the second half.
Two straight Dagan Yavzuri threes gave Galil a 57-55 advantage with 10 minutes to play, and Katash's team seemed to be well placed with less than three minutes to go, leading 74-68.
However, the final minutes belonged to the hosts and especially Bowers, who almost single handedly turned the game on its head.
Meanwhile, in Nahariya, a Luis Flores basket with 2.5 seconds remaining gave Hapoel Holon its fourth straight victory, 76-74 over Ironi Nahariya.
Flores scored 25 points for Holon, with Ron Lewis scoring 23 points for the losers.
Also Sunday, Maccabi Haifa snapped its three game losing streak, defeating Ironi Kiryat Ata 92-75 in Romema.
After losing its last two games by a combined 41 points, Haifa was desperate to return to winning ways, but didn't have it all its own way against Kiryat Ata.
The BSL's rock-bottom team remained in touch with Haifa for the first 26 minutes of the game, only for the hosts to go on a 15-4 run in the final four minutes of the third period to clinch the win.
Davon Jefferson was superb for Haifa, scoring 31 points and taking 15 rebounds. Doron Perkins scored seven points and passed eight assists on his return from injury, with Moshe Mizrahi and Ido Kozikaro each adding 16 points.
Haminn Quaintance scored 17 points for Kiryat Ata, which is running out of time in its battle against relegation.
Bnei Hasharon suffered a surprise 81-76 defeat at Ironi Ashkelon on Sunday, despite an excellent debut from new signing Ira Newble.
Newble led his team with 17 points, but Rashon Turner scored 17 points and grabbed 17 rebounds to help his team to a crucial victory.
Also Sunday, Ironi Ramat Gan claimed its fifth win in six games, beating Maccabi Givat Shmuel 90-89 after overtime behind Anthony Myles' 26 points.
On Monday, Maccabi Tel Aviv visits Maccabi Rishon Lezion.
Doron Perkins off the backboard alley oop pass for the dunk of Jefferson (March, 29th 2009)
Thursday, April 2, 2009
Wednesday, April 1, 2009
Monday, March 30, 2009
Sunday, March 29, 2009
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